Science and Tecnology

By Patrick WM Connally

The vigor of the State's innovation in science and technology cannot be separated from the health of its universities. The State's own research universities, the UC system, produce World class research in fields as diverse as physics, medicine and agriculture. Together with the State's prestigious private universities, the basic research that will fuel tomorrow's technological innovation is being done. But these universities also bring the best and brightest to California. Lured by the opportunity for an unsurpassed education, many are then lured by California's climate, culture and business environment to stay and make this their home. It is no coincidence that Silicon Valley, a place that is now synonymous with technological innovation and wealth creation, is so near to UC Berkley and Stanford University. But the State's research universities are now threatened by budget cuts, increasing tuition and decreasing aid to students, and a Federal immigration policy that keeps some of the best foreign students home instead in California. We must not let the State budget be balanced on the backs of our best students and professors and we must work with the Federal government to ensure that California's universities will continue to be a beacon to the World's best science and engineering students. Investing in a healthy and vigorous university systems is real supply side economics: the universities supply the ideas and people that will create tomorrow's innovation and business wealth.